Vagabond (36 page)

Minutes passed. Then an hour.
 

Ani slept like a rock while I sat like one.
 

I cried for Niko. She’d never know how much I loved her. She’d never know that I hadn’t meant to hurt her.
 

I watched the clouds race across the lake. I watched the sun burn into the water and the ducks slice through its surface. I tasted my last gulps of freedom, because I knew what came next. I’d given up one set of chains for another.
 

I had to move on. I had things to do, and I would do them.
 

I would do them for Ani.
 

And I would do them for Niko.
 

Vagabond’s Unofficially-Official Soundtrack
 

I know I’m not the only author who feels this way, but music plays such a vital role in my writing.
 
Music inspires. It gets my fingers tap-dancing against the keyboard and typing to the rhythms. Although these artist in no official capacity endorse my novel (and I say this in case something in my novel disagrees with any personal beliefs they may have), I would like to give a shout out to them. I would like to thank them for giving me the energy to right Vagabond.
 

Please support these artists by purchasing their music to create your very own Vagabond Playlist as you read.

Chapter 1

Ticking Bomb: Aloe Blacc
 

Chapter 2

1977: Ana Tijoux
 

Chapter 3

Walking With a Ghost: Tegan and Sara

Chapter 4

C’est La Mort: The Civil Wars

Chapter 5

Walt Whitman: Trampled by Turtles
 

Chapter 6
 

The One That Got Away: The Civil Wars

(P.S. This music video was also a big inspiration for the novel.)
 

Chapter 7

Rebels of the Sacred Heart: Flogging Molly

Chapter 8

Biting Down: Lorde
 

Chapter 9

Lucky Ones: Lana Del Rey
 

Chapter 10

Torch: Pinback
 

Chapter 11

No One Knows My Name: Gillian Welch

Chapter 12

Heartbeats: Jose Gonzalez
 

Chapter 13

Dark Horse: Katy Perry (ft. Juicy J)
 

Chapter 14

My Boy Builds Coffins: Florence + the Machine
 

Chapter 15

Rivers and Roads: The Head and the Heart

Chapter 16

Love is Greed: Passion Pit

Chapter 17

Go: The Civil Wars
 

Chapter 18

If I Ever Leave This World Alive: Flogging Molly

Chapter 19

Apologize: Timbaland (ft. One Republic)
 

Chapter 20

Falling: The Civil Wars

Chapter 21

Wake Me Up: Aloe Blacc
 

Chapter 22

Hand Over My Heart: Diamond Rings
 

Epilogue
 

Let Her Go: Passenger

A Shout Out to my BAMFs
 

First of all: To the Readers

Thank you to everyone who reads this book. My stories would just be words on a page without your imaginations to bring things to life. If you enjoyed
Vagabond
, please spread the word. Since I’m an indie-author lacking big-money marketing, I rely completely on your word of mouth and Amazon reviews.
 

Also, be sure to follow me online for updates on upcoming projects and stories. Feel free to contact me if you have suggestions on how to improve my craft. I love feedback, because I want to continue creating stories you enjoy.
 

Online Info:
 

www.jdbrewerbooks.com
 

Twitter: @JDBrewerBooks

Facebook: J.D. Brewer
 

Second of all: To My Friends and Family
 

Yes you… you who haven’t seen me in months. Or perhaps you have seen me but my head was still in my book, and I was trying to be social but only ended up being socially awkward…
 

Thank you for loving me despite my quirks.
 

For those of you who sent encouraging messages and kind words my way, it has meant the world to me. I love you all.
 

Now: For a behind the scenes look at the people who helped me out along the way…. Drum Roll Please.
 

The Mean, Jean, Everything-Awesome Machine:

She’s been a sister since the day I met her, and she’s done so much to help with Vagabond. Not only did she spend a day in the hot, hot heat to model for the book cover, she did it with a smile on her face. Then, she spent three nights and two days holed up in my house to read Vagabond, start to finish, and agonize over every word, comma, and phrase. Jean Marie Williford, you are a saint, and I love you terribly.
 

Speaking of Cover: Lynn Jones Hamilton
 

Lynn is more magical than unicorns, nebulas, luck-dragons, and even chocolate. As a indie-author, I hit that, “Now what?” moment when it came to my book cover. Lynn didn’t have to take time out of her busy schedule to help, but she did. She walked in and out of the labyrinth that is my mind without even breaking a sweat and pulled out exactly what I’d envisioned.
 

So Lynn, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
 

Cameron Danger: The Number One BAMF
 

That’s right. Danger is not your middle name, but your way of life. You have been the first to read my novels when they are in that oh-crap-stage. This first part of the feedback process is so important, and I want to thank you for all the phone calls, emails, and encouragement. You’ve been such an exceptional friend through this entire process.
   

Sarah and Lee Martin: On How to “Fire your Job”

It was all quite random how the Martins entered my life. They seemed to walk right by me when I needed advice the most. I’ve written a book, so now what? My brain was a hot mess of nothing, but Sarah and Lee came over, helped me start a website, and talked me through the self-publishing process.
 

They spend their days traveling the country, sprinkling fairy dust on people in need, and granting everyone three wishes. And Sarah, you’ve become my little writing luck charm. Thank you both for the time you’ve taken to help me out, even when I haven’t had much to give back in return.
 

Speaking of Website: Craig F***ing Gonzalez

Homeslice is a genius. If you think Niko is smart, then you haven’t met Craig. I would wonder what it is like to spend a day in that man’s brain, but even the thought of just wondering terrifies me. Lucky for me, he’s my friend, and he gladly shares his thoughts with me.
 

Once upon a time, we were stuck in a one bedroom apartment together due to a Thai flood (no joke), and he unloaded tons of business advice. I smiled and nodded, not sure if I’d never need it. Sure enough, I have used most of his business strategies this year. He also stepped in to help me maintain the website Sarah and Lee got me started on so I could focus on writing and not throwing my computer out the window.
 

T.C.

You’ve taught me to question everything.

I’d placed so many expectations on myself that I let them control the direction my life was headed. I thought I was living my life bravely until you made me really reconsider that “truth.” Throughout this process, I have sent you email upon email clawing through fear, and you have always given me the advice I’ve needed to move past it. You’ve been a true mentor since I’ve met you, and I can’t say thank you enough. Thank you for never giving me the answers. Thank you for making me fight for every assumption. And thank you for making me question.
 

Mairin Heard: Social Media Guru
 

“Your vanities don’t match,” Mairin said, as if that made sense. Then… she made it make sense. Here’s to my social media coach, who refuses to talk to me if I call a Tweet a Tweeter, because she loves me and doesn’t want people to think I’m a dodo bird. Seriously, thank you Mairin, for walking me through the world of social media to help me promote my novels. And thank you for all the things you do, big and small. You have been a true friend and sounding board this year, and I’m so thankful to have you in my life.
 

The Betas: Laura, Darian, Vanessa, and Janet

Thanks for coming in during the home stretch to help talk me through some of the major holes in the story. You get the raw deal, because you have to encounter such an unfinished product, but you all did it so gracefully. Thank you for the encouragement and feedback.
 
(And an extra shout-out to Laura Reagan for picking out some of the biggest gaps in the story. She single-handedly saved everyone from loads and loads of confusion.)
 

Of Science and Trains

For my conscious I must admit the following things…
 

Science:
 

It’s a pretty amazing thing, this art of science. I must admit that, as much as I love and respect science, I have fictionalized it greatly to suit my own purposes. Please excuse my creative license when it comes to this topic, and do not assume I hold to all the “facts” I wrote of. I purposefully tried to be as abstract as possible when it came to the nitty gritty, because I’d rather my story illicit questions than make a claim to a concrete truth.
 

By all means, make a game out of abusing my creative assumptions with your Science Teachers and the Scientific Professionals you know. I promise you’ll learn a whole heck of a lot that way. I, personally, have only grazed the surface of the topic, but I’ve learned a great deal from the research I’ve done. Our bodies are interesting universes, and I hope this story inspires you (as it did me) to go explore what you’re made of.

CHOOOO-CHOOOO Trains:
 

I live behind train tracks. They travel in and out of San Marcos like centipedes slithering along rail road crossings. I hear them before, during, and after sleep. They block me from the other side of town when, and only when, I’m in a hurry, and I am forced to slow life down to watch the museum of graffiti drift by. Between this, a music video (The Civil Wars: The One That Got Away), and hours surfing the web for images and documentaries on hitchhikers, the idea of Vagabond was born.
 

I realize that there is an entire sub-culture of real-life Vagabonds that exist today… that they live a life of travel and freedom of the likes I’ve never experienced. I find their lives beautiful and bold.
 

But, in this lawsuit crazy world, I must strongly discourage any of my readers to try anything regarding trains that happen in this book. I say this not just for fear of lawsuits, but for fear of your safety. Every year, people die from running across train bridges and trying to hitch rides on moving locomotives.
 

Live life boldly, but also live intelligently. If you’re curious about what a train-ride is like, buy an Amtrak ticket and take a legit and legal cross country train-ride. I realize this is not exactly something that Celeste would suggest, but I have to stay true to my conscious and remind you to not take this book as inspiration to partake in things that would be detrimental to your safety.
 

Be safe.

I need you around to read more of my books.
 

About the Author: J.D. BREWER

Some people call me a leprechaun, but they just don’t understand that I’m simply vertically challenged. There are those who say I’m fiercer than a baby pterodactyl, despite the fact that I was probably a stegosaurus in another life. Others have titles for me that are a bit more generic: friend, teacher, student, family, etc. The truth is, I spend my time gathering moments from the people I love, and from these moments I create. I glue letters into words, words into thoughts, and thoughts into questions. When I’m not out having a blast in the universe I share with you, I’m creating my own through pen, paper, and keyboard. Open up one of my stories, and step into my worlds. You’ll have an adventure for sure.
 

Vagabond
is my debut novel, but there are many more stories swimming about in my head. If you enjoy this book, help me out by sharing. As an indie-author, I lack big-publisher marketing experts and rely solely on the word of your mouth. If you liked
Vagabond,
tell your friends, your family, your teachers, your frenemies, your dogs, your favorite trees, and the raccoons digging in your trashcans. Just tell someone and pass the story along. Please take a few minutes to post an Amazon review and tell me your thoughts.
 
I love feedback, because I want to write more novels that you, my readers will love.